Noida to rope in 'metro man' E Shreedharan

The Noida authority on Thursday said that it has decided to rope in 'metro man' E Sreedharan for its yet to take shape Noida metro rail company (NMRC).

NMRC's first mega project will be of building a 29 kilometers long metro link to connect Noida's City Center to Greater Noida's Bodaki. This 29km long metro project will require a budget of Rs 5,000 crore, said officials.

"We have written a letter to E Shreedharan requesting him to be on board as an advisor for NMRC. Since he has vast experience of building and running a metro network, his guidance on NMRC will be crucial and valuable for us," said Rama Raman, chief executive officer (CEO), Noida authority.

The Uttar Pradesh state Cabinet is likely give its approval to NMRC in its first upcoming assembly session, officials informed. The Cabinet has already given its in-principal approval to NMRC, which is likely to be formed with an initial capital of Rs 1,000 crore.

"Once the state Cabinet approves the proposal pertaining to NMRC formation, it will be sent for further approvals by center. We want an expert like Shreedharan as an advisor so that NMRC's quality of work reaches to the level of Delhi metro rail corporation (DMRC) that had built Delhi metro," said the CEO.

The Noida authority officials maintained that once Shreedharan is roped in several other international experts of the field will be easily roped in for NMRC.

"Shreedharan has become a brand associated with DMRC, which has a huge experience of its field, and his vision, expert skills will speed-up the NMRC work," said another authority official, requesting anonymity.

E Shreedharan's spokesperson told Hindustan Times, "Let the Noida authority's letter come, then only he will be able to comment on it."

UP's two industrial authorities - the Noida and Greater Noida authority - will have 70:30 stake in NMRC.

The authority had decided to form NMRC after the Delhi government said the DMRC is overburdened with work, and is unable to take-up more metro projects outside Delhi.

Last week, UP governor BL Joshi had honoured Shreedharan with an honorary doctorate degree in Noida. As of now, Shreedharan is working as principal advisor to DMRC.